George Gershwin Biography

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The Effect of George Gershwin on the 21st Century

Singer, composer George Gershwin once said "True music must repeat the thought and inspirations of the people and the time. My people are Americans and my time is today."  In today’s society there are not many composers looked up to. Now everyone wants to learn about new rappers or legends in sports.  To others, like pianist they look up to people like Bach, Beethoven, Mozart or new hip pianist like Alicia Keys.  To some people George Gershwin is considered one of the few great pianists.  When he emerged as a new composer he was unlike any other, this man was unique in all sorts of ways.  He was unique for his sense of style and jazziness.  Today, his music is rarely played, but when you hear it you just may know a song of his.  

On September 26, 1898, in Brooklyn New York, Morris and Rose Gershvin were surprised with a baby boy named Jacob “George” Gershwin (Gersh-vin).  Rose and Morris were both Russian- Jewish immigrants that were from the middle class.  Rose and Morris had their name changed from Gershowitz then to Gershwin because the immigrant official changed it upon their arrival.  George was the second child out of four.  At the very young age of eleven Morris and Rose bought a piano for George’s brother Ira.  To their surprise George was the child that could play by ear.  On the piano he played a piece that was quite popular.

        At the age of thirteen, George’s parents began to pay for piano lessons.  When George became fifteen he felt that school was unnecessary for him. His first job was at a summer resort making only five dollars a week.  He dropped out of school and started to play in nightclubs.  Even at the young age of fifteen George was a very talented pianist.  

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        After Gershwin dropped out of school his second career began.  George’s career began at a place called Tin Pan Alley.  While George worked at the Tin Pan Alley he made fifteen dollars a week. Also, during the year of 1916, George had is first song ever published. The song was entitled “When you want ‘Em you can’t get ‘Em”.  Murray Roth composed the lyrics to the song.  At first this song was not a big hit, but as it kept being played a few Broadway producers enjoyed the song.  This song made him only $5 dollars, while the lyrics composer ...

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